Voting is underway in 100 orphan constituencies of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to elect Parliamentary candidates to represent the party in the 2020 elections.  

“Orphan constituencies”, refer to areas where the party lost the 2016 Parliamentary Elections to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and, therefore, has no sitting Members of Parliament.

Cape Coast

In Cape Coast, JoyNews’ Central region correspondent, Richard Kwadwo Nyarko, reports that two aspirants in the Cape Coast South Constituency have stepped down.

Opia Kojo Mensah and Essien Dadson pulled out of the race, Saturday morning.

With the withdrawal, only three aspirants are contesting the seat. 

Posters of some of the candidates in the Central region

Oti region

Voting delayed in the Oti region even though officers of the Electoral Commission were on hand to conduct the polls as of 7 am.

JoyNews checks revealed that aspirants were still openly campaigning on voting day.

A correspondent in the region, Peter Senoo reports that allegations of vote-buying were rife.

 Delegates were seen entering offices of various aspirants and coming out with “gifts,” he reported.

Savannah region

Out of the seven constituencies in the Savannah region, except Salaga South, NPP is holding elections in the six remaining constituencies.

The Deputy Savannah Regional Minister, Samuel Yayu Tika is contesting for the third time while Alhaji Asei Seini a CEPS officer , is also vying for the second time.

The other three, Abdul Latif Bavug, Danladi Saaka and Issah Mohammed are all contesting for the first time.

Voting is underway peacefully amidst heavy security at the voting centre, Daboya, the district capital.